THE SAFEWAY HOLIDAY ICE RINK CELEBRATES A NEW AND EXCITING SEASON OF OUTDOOR ICE SKATING AND HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES AT SAN FRANCISCO’S UNION SQUARE

SAN FRANCISCO (October 6, 2016) – The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines, a San Francisco holiday tradition, will kick off the ice skating season on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 with an exciting lineup of festive activities for all ages. The ice rink will remain open through Monday, January 16, 2017. The ice rink in Union Square, which the “TODAY” show calls one of the “Best Ice Skating Rinks in the U.S.,” is the premier location for outdoor ice skating amongst the vibrant lights and popular shopping destinations in San Francisco. A portion of this year’s proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. Advance tickets go on sale on Monday, October 24, 2016 at www.unionsquareicerink.com. Starting Wednesday, November 2, 2016 tickets will be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square Park. Group rates and private parties are also available at www.unionsquareicerink.com/private-parties.

The ice rink will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., with the exception of closing at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2016. Ticket prices for regular admission are $12 and $7 for children eight years old and under. Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6.

Kaiser Permanente Skate-o-meter Feature in Mobile App for 2016-2017:

The Kaiser Permanente Skate-o-meter returns to the ice rink mobile app this season allowing skaters at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines to track their calories burned while skating. The Skate-o-meter is included in the ice rink mobile app available beginning November 2, 2016 through iTunes and GooglePlay App Stores.

Special Events This Season:
The ice rink will host a variety of exciting events perfect for enjoying the holiday season.

Icebreaker: Opening Ceremony | Wednesday, November 2, 2016 | 9 a.m.—10 a.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines will open with a special ceremony to “break the ice” and kick off the holiday ice skating season with a performance from Buyi Zama, who plays “Rafiki” in the North American touring production of Disney’s THE LION KING, as well as a special guest appearance from the San Francisco Giants’ own Lou Seal. #unionsquarerink

Simba Saturdays | Every Saturday in November and December | 6 p.m.—7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is excited to announce that every Saturday this holiday season at the rink will be known as “Simba Saturdays.” This unique new event for 2016-2017 will feature special gold rink lighting and music from Disney’s THE LION KING’s live musical soundtrack. #simbasaturdays

Learn to Skate | First Weekend of the Month | 8:30 p.m.—9:30 a.m.
Don’t know how to skate? Kaiser Permanente is inviting beginner skaters to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines to come learn from professionals skate instructors on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. Lessons are free (including skate rental) to those who sign up in advance and complements of Kaiser Permanente. Signups are limited to 50 participants per session, sign up now at www.unionsquareicerink.com. #learntoskate

Tots on Ice Presented by SF Gate | First Tuesday of the Month| 10 a.m.—11:30 a.m. and Noon—1:30 p.m.
Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is excited to announce that the first Tuesday of each month while the rink is open will feature a special time dedicated to families and children during the 10 a.m. and noon sessions. Parents and caregivers and their young children (ages 3-6) are invited to attend this special holiday event in which the ice rink will dedicate two 90 minute ice skating sessions to create a fun and festive environment for families. #totsonice

Flashback Fridays | Second Friday of the Month | 6 p.m.—7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is celebrating the 80’s this season with a special event the second Friday of each month known as “Flashback Fridays.” These special sessions feature iHeart80s @ 103.7 personalities on-hand to spin hits from the ’80s while skaters are encouraged to come party in their ’80s gear for a chance to win prizes. #fbfonice

Drag Queens on Ice Presented by Alaska Airlines | Thursday, December 8, 2016 | 8 p.m.—9:30 p.m.
The fierce, fabulous and talented drag queens of the Bay Area are returning to the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines for what has become one of the City’s most popular events of the holiday season. The enchanting and exciting drag performers are sure to shine in a night full of lip-syncing and lipstick that is guaranteed to make audiences of all ages laugh and dance with #dragqueensonice.

Silent Night Skate Party | Thursday, December 15, 2016 | 6 p.m.—7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. —9:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is excited to announce a brand new event this year known as the “Silent Night Skate Party.” The ice rink’s first-ever silent disco will feature wireless headphones for skaters to wear while skating. Skaters will have the opportunity to win prizes while they listen to any one of the three channels of music available on the headphones including hits from WiLD 94.9. #silentnightskate

Polar Bear Skate: The San Francisco Edition | Sunday, January 1, 2017 | 2 p.m.—3:30 p.m.
The Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines is excited to welcome skaters of all ages to the return of San Francisco’s take on the popular Canadian tradition. In this version, however, ice skaters of all ages are encouraged to put on their bathing suit, grab their shades and come to the ice rink to “take the plunge” to join this fun and exciting New Year’s Day Union Square tradition. #polarbearskate

Sponsors
Safeway, Alaska Airlines, Kaiser Permanente, Macy’s, SKANSKA, Eventbrite, Union Square Business Improvement District, Sugar Bowl Resort, Galleria Park Hotel, Hotel Rex, John’s Grill, Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Puccini & Pinetti, CLIFT San Francisco, Disney’s THE LION KING, Cirque du Soleil LUZIA, NBC Bay Area, San Francisco Chronicle, SF GATE, BART, SFMTA, STAR 101.3, 98.1 The Breeze, 106.1 KMEL, iHeart80s @ 103.7, WiLD 94.9, KGO 810 and Telemundo 48.

Social Media Links
#unionsquarerink
Facebook  – Facebook.com /UnionSquareRink
Twitter – @UnionSquareRink
Instagram – @UnionSquareRink

Ice Skating B-Roll Video
To download, please click here and save the video file to your desktop.

About the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines
Since 2007, the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink in Union Square presented by Alaska Airlines has delighted children and adults with a holiday-themed ice park located in San Francisco’s Union Square. Ticket prices are $12 for regular admission and $7 for children eight years old and under. Figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $6. Ice rink hours are from 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. daily. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. For tickets or more information, please visit www.unionsquareicerink.com or call 415-781-2688.

About Willy Bietak Productions
Santa Monica-based Willy Bietak Productions is a full-service production company specializing in the development and production of high quality family entertainment. With a staff of award-winning designers, directors, choreographers and musical arrangers – backed by a talented production and management team – Willy Bietak Productions conceives, packages and tours international entertainment spectaculars as well as special events. For more information, please visit www.bietakproductions.com.

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For more information and additional holiday images, please contact:
James Smith | Charles Zukow Associates | moc.wokuzselrahc@SsemaJ | 415-296-0677